Mynydd y Dref facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mynydd y Dref (Conwy Mountain) |
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View down Conwy Mountain, with the town of Conwy in the distance
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 244 m (801 ft) |
| Prominence | 58 m (190 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Conwy, Wales |
| Parent range | Snowdonia |
| OS grid | SH759778 |
Mynydd y Dref is a special place in North Wales. Its name means "Mountain of the Town" in Welsh. It is also known as Conwy Mountain. This hilly area is just west of the historic town of Conwy.
From the north, you can see the beautiful Conwy Bay and the sea. To the south, it connects to the lower parts of the Carneddau mountains. Mynydd y Dref is actually what's left of an ancient volcano. This volcano erupted a very long time ago, about 450 million years back!
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Exploring the Ancient Fort
At the very top of Conwy Mountain, you'll find amazing old ruins. These include Neolithic Hut Circles and an Iron Age hillfort called Castell Caer Seion. Sometimes people also call it Castell Caer Lleion.
What Was Castell Caer Seion Like?
Castell Caer Seion was a large fort with strong stone walls. It was a very big settlement. Inside, there were more than 50 hut circles. These were round foundations where people built their homes. There were also flat areas for houses. The fort had a main stronghold, like a castle, and smaller guard posts.
Discoveries at the Fort
Archaeologists did some digging here in 1951. They didn't find anything that could tell them an exact date. But they did find some interesting tools. These included slingstones, which were used as weapons. They also found querns and stone pestles and mortars. These tools were used for grinding grain and preparing food. The types of things found suggest that people did not live here again after the Roman period. This is different from many other hillforts in North Wales.
A Look at Conwy Mountain's Past
Conwy Mountain has been used by people for different things over time. During the Napoleonic Wars, which happened a long time ago, people quarried millstones here. Millstones are large, heavy stones used to grind grain into flour.
Walking Trails and Views
Conwy Mountain is a great place for walking and exploring. Many paths and trails cross the mountain. You can start your walk from Sychnant Pass on the western side.
One important path is part of the North Wales Path. This is a long-distance walking route. It's about 60 miles long! The North Wales Path follows the coast. It stretches from Prestatyn in the east to Bangor in the west. Walking on Conwy Mountain offers amazing views of the surrounding area.
